⏱ 5 min read

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said,
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” ~ Matthew 18:1-5

To date, Christians still ask this question: Who is the greatest preacher, singer, apostle, musician, prophet, leader, etc? Interestingly, Jesus didn’t rubbish the question nor call them carnal.

• What He did was to shift their mind from the worldview of greatness to God’s view of greatness.
• He changed their metric for measuring greatness: the humility as a little child!
• Jesus explained that the entry into the kingdom and pathway to greatness in it is to be humble like a child.

A child is without worldly ambitions to be the greatest and without the lust for money, power, and fame. We are to be as little children who act among themselves as equals. Take note: you and I have to deliberately do this individually.

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

• If you want to measure who is great, it is not about their cars, wealth and following. It is not even about their display of signs and miracles; look out for their humility.
• Humility like a child involves many aspects: the constant desire for food; the heavy dependence on parents; the ability to forgive easily; being easily impressionable.
• Being able to copy freely; the ability to ask for help; the excitement and joy; being vulnerable with their parents etc.

Dear friend, may we take deliberate steps to humble ourselves like children so that we may be great in God’s eyes! We leave you with one last thought…

And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

At this point, Jesus has established that all His disciples would have to be like little children. So “whoever receives one little child like this” also means “whoever receives ‘one disciple’ in My name, receives Me.“

To receive is to welcome, to accept, to admit in, to accommodate someone just because they come in Jesus' name. 

• Receive the people Jesus sends your way. When you do this you are actually receiving Jesus Himself.
• They may be ‘little children/disciples’ but please don’t consider their frame, their status, etc. Consider that they are sent to you by Jesus Himself.

• Jesus gives us another reason why we should value people and not despise them: every child/disciple, great or small has an angel in God’s presence.
• A Bishop’s angel is there, and so is the new convert’s angel. Even if the convert is a little baby or child, their angel is there too.
• God has an angel to minister to every one of His children and for sure they give Him feedback. Take heed of how you treat them.

Tell me, what would their angel say about how you welcomed or treated them? May grace help us receive God’s precious children and not cause them to fall away. Heyy… you’re blessed!

Do share your lessons from Matthew 18 with us. Remember to tag us on 📲:
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